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CS/HB 481 — Temporary Underground Power Panels
by Tourism, Infrastructure and Energy Subcommittee and Rep. Duggan (CS/CS/SB 1332 by Community Affairs Committee; Regulated Industries Committee; and Senator Wright)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)
The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting ordinances, regulations, or policies preventing an electric utility from installing a temporary underground (TUG) power panel during construction. The TUG power panel must meet the requirements of Article 590 of the 2020 National Electrical Code.
After an initial inspection of a TUG power panel, a county or municipality is prohibited from requiring a subsequent inspection as a condition for issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
The bill does not apply to a municipality that owns or operates an electric utility with 100,000 customers or less if the municipality’s ordinance, regulation, or policy applies only to its own operations as an electric utility.
Under the bill, “temporary underground power panel” is defined as a permanent meter base including a meter socket, meter, and downpipe, to which power is provided through an underground service line by an electric utility pursuant to the utility’s tariffs or service standards. The TUG power panel must be permanently attached to a block residential structure, provide temporary power for construction of the residential structure, and be intended for use in providing permanent service to the residential structure upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 115-0